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Simply, a Flood Zone Determination states which flood zone applies to a property. Or put another way, it is ‘determined’ that your property is in a specific flood zone. The Determinator, which is the company providing the Flood Zone Determination, will use FEMA’s flood maps, the county’s parcel maps, aerial photography, and other maps to figure out which flood zone is applicable to the property.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “Clear Communication Initiative” is intended to inform federal flood insurance policyholders of their flood risk as reflected on the most current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). This is something congress mandated in the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA, and specifically Section 28 of that Act). The reasoning is sound, but there are parts that may be confusing, so I want to try and explain “Clear Communications”.

So you finally did it. You saved up enough money to put a down payment on your first home, and pay closing costs. You spent hours completing paperwork, and gathering documents for your mortgage lender.

In early 2016, FEMA began mailing out clear communication initiative letters to flood insurance policyholders with new policies effective April 1, 2016 or later, and/or renewal dates of October 1, 2016 or later. The purpose of these letters was to inform the policyholders of their current, re-mapped flood risk rating, and explain how that rating was assessed, as well as how it would likely impact what one would pay for flood insurance. The letters further explain how the property owner may reduce flood insurance premiums by obtaining an Elevation Certificate.

FEMA separated the letters into 7 categories, each defined by a letter, A-F. Your category can be found in the bottom right hand corner of your letter. The categories are as follows:

Who doesn’t want to lower the cost of… everything? Flood insurance is one of those things where consumers might feel a little helpless because most flood insurance is issued through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) so the rates are what they are. First, find a knowledgeable agent that really knows the National Flood Insurance Program. Second, check out our list of the top 5 ways to lower your premiums.